ParentText is a chatbot-led parenting intervention that aims to increase positive parenting and reduce child maltreatment. Developed for parents and caregivers of children aged 0 to 17 years, the ParentText 5-Day User Experience Evaluation Trial builds on positive findings of the ParentText Optimisation Trial, which evaluated the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of ParentText in South Africa. Findings of this research also support the wider dissemination and scale-up of PLH human-digital programmes, and more specifically the ongoing and forthcoming delivery of ParentText in multiple countries, including Malaysia, Mexico, China, South Africa, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
During 2024, the team finalised quantitative and qualitative data collection for the Optimisation RCT in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Analysis of this data is well underway with results expected soon. Additionally, the team designed, implemented and began to evaluate a digital-only 5-Day version of the ParentText programme through a large-scale RCT involving over 20,000. The team has completed a three-month post-baseline assessment of the intervention, with qualitative data collection expected by February 2025.
The study
ParentText is a chatbot-led parenting intervention that aims to increase positive parenting and reduce child maltreatment. Developed for parents and caregivers of children aged 0 to 17 years, the ParentText 5-Day User Experience Evaluation Trial builds on positive findings of the ParentText Optimisation Trial, which evaluated the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of ParentText in South Africa. Findings of this research also support the wider dissemination and scale-up of PLH human-digital programmes, and more specifically the ongoing and forthcoming delivery of ParentText in multiple countries, including Malaysia, Mexico, China, South Africa, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
The main aim of the study is to identify the condition that significantly contribute to the primary engagement outcome of ParentText in terms of the total number of modules completed as well as to identify the components that significantly contribute to goals completed, skills obtained and the total number of interactions of participants with ParentText.
During 2024, the team finalised quantitative and qualitative data collection for the optimisation randomised control trial (RCT) in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Analysis of this data is well underway with results expected soon. Additionally, the team designed, implemented and began to evaluate a digital-only 5-Day version of the ParentText programme through a large-scale RCT involving over 20 000. The team has completed a three-month post-baseline assessment of the intervention, with qualitative data collection expected by February 2025.
Study significance and impact
This study will be the first to rigorously optimise and evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of a parenting programme delivered via a chatbot in a low- and middle-income country. Findings will inform the wider dissemination and scale-up of Parenting for Lifelong Health human-digital programmes, and more specifically (and immediately) the ongoing and forthcoming delivery of ParentText in multiple countries, including Cambodia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
